A bunch of semi-literate, half-clad people from tribal boondocks of Bengal have displayed the kind of grasp of corona consciousness that hundreds of their well-heeled fellow citizens have failed to exhibit. About 10 migrant workers from Bhamri village in interior part of the tribal Purulia district have been living on tree tops as a measure of isolating themselves from the rest of the villagers, sources said.
The workers had returned from Chennai and unlike in many villages were not immediately pushed outside by the locals for the fear of infection. “We came straight to our village by hiring a vehicle, saw local medic who advised home quarantine. But as our houses are small with no chance of isolation without coming in close physical contact of others we decided to stay on tree top,” said Bijoy Singh Loya.
They made their own abode up on mango trees using bamboo sticks to fabricate planks some three feet by six feet each. “We have spread out bed sheets and using mosquito curtains too,” said another fellow migrant,” adding the villagers are kind enough to provide them with rice and vegetables. “They bring both steaming and puffed rice beneath the tree and we pull the utensils with rope. This is the we have passed several days and hope the remaining one week or so will also pass of by the grace of Marangburu (the tribal god)” said another person adding they will only descend from the trees and go to their village after the doctor give us permission.
Cut to Kolkata: The number of corona deaths increased to two with a middle-aged woman from Kalimpong --- who was admitted to the North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri on Sunday --- succumbing to the dreaded disease in the wee hours of Monday, Health Department sources said. The earlier casualty was from Kolkata where a 65-year-old man passed away last week.
A third person too died at NRS Medical College hours after his admission with Corona-like symptoms but the reason of his death could not be ascertained as reports of his pathological samples were still awaited, sources said. Meanwhile, the count of corona infection increased to 22 in Bengal with three more persons --- one from Seoraphuli in Hooghly district, a trader from Burra Bazar in Kolkata and a third person from Baranagar in North 24 Parganaas were admitted to various hospitals, sources said. Even as the number of Corona infection went up Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday upped the insurance amount for the medical and other government staff involved in fighting the endemic to Rs 10 lakh.
Earlier the amount was capped at Rs 5 lakh.
Besides, the Government also earmarked dedicated hospitals for Coronapatients in each of the 22 districts of the State, officials saidafter emerging from a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister whoappointed nodal officers for several districts to personally monitorthe situation.
Regards,
Saugar
